Coral Restoration: Land-Based Coral Nursery Internships
Mote has three land-based coral nurseries in the Florida Keys. Please be sure to specify one or several of the following program locations or projects in your statement of interest.
Coral Restoration Internship (Summerland Key)
Mote’s Coral Restoration Program focuses on large-scale propagation of corals in a land-based nursery to support ongoing research and restoration. Most of the work conducted by interns at the land-based coral culture facility involves daily coral husbandry (handling coral fragments to remove algae and other fouling organisms) and basic aquaculture maintenance duties (cleaning tanks and seawater systems). However, duties may also include hands-on propagation of corals using Mote’s “micro-fragmentation” technique, and assisting with experiments aimed at improving propagation methods. Depending on the time of year and the participants experience with prior fieldwork, participants may have the opportunity to assist staff with transplanting corals to restoration sites during outplanting efforts, or observe staff during monitoring of previously outplanted corals. Opportunities for fieldwork will be limited to snorkeling only.
- Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am – 5pm, with the possibility of long hours and weekends.
Coral Restoration Internship (Islamorada)
Mote’s Coral Restoration Program’s Islamorada Coral Nursery located at the iconic Bud N’ Mary’s Marina focuses on the propagation of corals in a land-based nursery to support coral restoration in the Upper Keys. Most of the training provided and work conducted by interns at the land-based coral culture facility involves conducting daily coral husbandry (handling coral fragments to remove algae and other fouling organisms) and basic aquaculture maintenance duties (cleaning tanks, water quality assessments and learning the basics of life support systems). Duties also include hands-on propagation of corals using Mote’s “micro-fragmentation” technique and data entry. Depending on the time of year and the participants experience with prior fieldwork, participants may have the opportunity to assist staff with transplanting corals to restoration sites during outplanting efforts, or observe staff during monitoring of previously outplanted corals. Any opportunities for fieldwork will be limited to snorkeling only.
Prospective applicants should be able to work outdoors in tropical conditions for extended periods of time, be able to lift 40 pounds and be undertaking or have completed some formal studies in a relevant field.
- Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am – 5pm, with the possibility of long hours and weekends.
- Housing: Interns are responsible for finding their own off-site housing. Interns must also have their own transportation.
Coral Restoration Internship (Key Largo)
Mote’s Coral Restoration Program focuses on large-scale propagation of corals in a land-based nursery to support ongoing research and restoration. Most of the work conducted by interns at the land-based coral culture facility involves daily coral husbandry (handling coral fragments to remove algae and other fouling organisms) and basic aquaculture maintenance duties (cleaning tanks and seawater systems). However, duties may also include hands-on propagation of corals using Mote’s “micro-fragmentation” technique, and assisting with experiments aimed at improving propagation methods. Depending on the time of year and the participants experience with prior fieldwork, participants may have the opportunity to assist staff with transplanting corals to restoration sites during outplanting efforts, or observe staff during monitoring of previously outplanted corals. Diving opportunities require Rescue Diver certification.
- Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am – 5pm, with the possibility of long hours and weekends.
